An unforgettable experience…
There are not enough words to describe the beauty of Santorini. The beautiful images of the island, the sunsets, and the beaches evoke such a powerfully aesthetic experience that say so much more. Santorini is an unforgettable experience.

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Santorini Island Map | Photo Album | Akrotiri Archaelogical Sites |

Historical Note
An underwater, deep-sea explosion, which shook the entire Aegean world some 80,000 years earlier caused by an underwater volcano that had begun to expel huge fiery masses of the earths mantle created Santorini. The lava and ash spewed from the volcano fought a fiery geological battle with the waters of the Archipelagos where the lava prevailed to create a new island on the waters of Poseidon’s gardens. Strangely enough, this island would come to be called Santa Irene (peace) when its own geological history was everything but peaceful. The volcano, a sleeping giant, destroyed everything on the island countless times. From Historic times until today, the island’s residents have been recorded abandoning their homes fourteen times, only to return and start over, rebuilding their homes, recreating a normal life, stone by stone. No one could imagine or even compare the destructive force of the eruption of 1500 BC that was formidable enough to give the island the horseshoe shape it has today. 
The famous Minoan civilization flourishing until that time in Akrotyri, southern Santorini, vanished beneath six metres of lava and every life force was exterminated. It would take another 300 years for the island to become inhabited once more.Santorini today covers an area of 78 square kilometres and has a coastal length of 36 miles. The island’s official name is Thera, after the leader of the Spartan colonists that occupied the island around the 10th century BC. Earlier than that, names like ‘Strongyle’ (Round Island) or  ‘Kallista’ (Beauty) were used to describe Santorini. At a distance of 130 nautical miles from the port of Piraeus, it is a leisurely cruise, while those not wanting to lose a moment, can board the airplane from Athens direct to the island.

Fira (capital )
With approximately 1600 residents, it is located northwest and is the capital of the island.
The position of the island’s capital on the brow of the volcanic cliffs reflects the dramatic challenges the people of Santorini have faced with the forces of nature. Prevailing over the sheer cliff faces, the locals were able to secure their homes on graduated planes using inexpensive materials found in abundance on the island. The result was a magical settlement literally hanging on the cliffs edge. Here, the archways, and the domes of their dugout homes in the slate cliffs captivate with their frugality and economy of space they provide.
The brilliant white of the asbestos painted homes, refreshes, and dominates the picture of Fira, whilst splashes of indigo and orange distinguish the church domes in town. The superimposed terraces of the houses – today transformed into trendy cafes – offer an unimpeded view of the Aegean. The magical setting of these houses of Fira, designed into the hillside along small, narrow cobbled stone streets, such a wonder in space economy, reaching into every available inch, yet in wonderful harmony with the natural environment are, along with Ia, what the American tourist magazines have characterized as the most beautiful towns in the world. The master craftsman of Santorini has used every available metre, every corner, every cavity within the hard cliff face and enclosed these spaces with curved walls and rooms, resulting in an ethereal ambience and creating a light and airy habitat.
Worth seeing
•Nea Kameni, the islet that popped out of the depths of the caldera around 1707. It is accessible with the kaekia from Firos Bay. It takes half an hour to reach the crater of this volcano, where sulphuric gases and hot air are emitted from the ground. You will need to wear appropriate shoes and have a supply of water.
•A similar scene with active volcanic emissions can be found at Palia Kameni, only thirty minutes from Athinio.
•The Archaeological Museum of the island has a stand out amphora with decorative carvings, and a clay image of a ‘woman lamenting’. The Museum has many displays from the Geometric and Roman Ages.
•The Folklore Museum established by Emmanuel Lignou is located at Katohori, only 1km from the centre of Hora. It has a display of the entire traditional life and activities of the Santorinian people. It is set in a traditional home, with all its furniture, a wood workshop, a shoe workshop, wine cellar and barrels, other precious objects, and much more
•The old path from Ormo to Fira, slowly unwinding like a white ribbon, up the side of the rocky cliff face, offers an immediate view of the rich past of Santorini. On the wall of the caldera, we can see the lava layers, alternating black and red layers of ash. Once upon a time, the most relaxing way to travel up the island was on a donkey, nowadays visitors can choose the traditional donkey service or the modern teleferik.
•Before leaving Fira, do not overlook the Monastery of the Dominican. It is home to nuns from all over the world. With a strong fort, it was the medieval capital of the island.
•The white washed church of Agios Minas has become the trademark of the town.
•The Wine Museum. Santorini has a long history in wine production (from 1660) and at the museum you can learn all about the varieties on the island and even taste some of them.

Imerovigli

With 200 residents, it is located northwest on the island and 2km from Fira.
These are the two suburbs of Fira, with the surprising view of the Aegean and the dreamy sunset. The castle of Skarou, which though deserted today, was once the capital of the island and the seat of the Latin Bishop. The castle was built in 1207 during the turbulent time of the Venetian Markos Sanoudos after the Fourth Crusade. The Franks, the Venetians, and the Genoans had occupied the castle at different times, before falling in 1579 into the hands of the Turkish pirate, the buccaneer Hirentin Barbarossa.
 Worth seeing
• A white washed church – ‘Theoskepasti’ – remains the only surviving element from those turbulent times. A small path winding through the sunny terraces leads to the Theoskepasti, taking you to the perfect vantage point with a view encompassing the caldera and Nea Kameni.

Ia
With approximately 450 residents, it is located northwest on the island and is 11km from Fira.
Despite its enormous tourist appeal and development, Ia has remained true to its traditional character. It is the richest area of the island, as it has become residence to seamen and ship owners, who with their own special touch have established a Naval Museum.
Balconies embracing the archipelago, bougainvillea and basil overflowing in colourful pots, windmills stirring in the artesian wind and languid cats lounging along the sun strewn cobblestone paths all lending to create a perfectly, noble calm amongst the impressive township. A small path leads us from Ia to the small port of Armeni and the graphic church of Agios Nikolaos. From the port of Ia, the ‘kaekia’ (small steam boats) offer a cruise around the island and visits across to the island opposite, Therasia. The welcoming smiles of the locals more than make up for their small numbers and with their hospitality offer even more. Staying for the evening in Therasia is a good choice for those wishing a relaxing night taking in the view of the sparkling lights of the serious party makers opposite.
Worth seeing
•The sunset at Oia is famous in all corners of the world.
•The Nautical Museum has a rich selection of exhibits from the ‘glory days’ of the island.
•Cape Coloumbos, located northeast with a vertical cliff face from which Santorini’s second crater is found in the sea, which had erupted in 1650 AD, causing major damage.
•The castle at the edge of the town (location Youlas)  is one of the five fortified castles on the island. These were built during the Turkish Occupation for their protection against the pirates.

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